18

Yu Mingjiao wasn't severely injured, just a cut on her forehead. After the nurse applied medication and bandaged her up, the two were free to leave.

Cen Lingqiu brought her home, and it was already late at night.

The night had been intense, leaving Cen Lingqiu exhausted. Seeing that Yu Mingjiao was fine, she gave her a simple reminder.

"Be careful not to touch your wound while you sleep."

Yu Mingjiao's head was wrapped in a bandage, making her already frail face look even more delicate. She looked at Cen Lingqiu calmly and hummed in response.

Cen Lingqiu observed her curiously for a few seconds.

Why was she suddenly acting normal again? Just a few days ago, she was cold and distant.

Cen Lingqiu felt an odd sense of satisfaction, like a child who had finally stopped being stubborn and started listening.

It wasn't her fault—Yu Mingjiao's moods were so unpredictable that Cen Lingqiu could never keep up with her mental state.

"Get some rest."

Cen Lingqiu was genuinely tired. She yawned, gave Yu Mingjiao's head a comforting pat, and couldn't resist stroking her soft, silky hair a few more times.

Yu Mingjiao initially flinched out of habit but soon stopped resisting.

"I'm leaving."

Cen Lingqiu waved goodbye and left the apartment.

The room fell silent. Yu Mingjiao touched the bandage on her forehead, her dark eyes blending with the night, unreadable.

—

Early the next morning, Cen Lingqiu was woken up by a call from Zhang Li. On the other end, Zhang Li's anxious voice asked, "Xiao Qiu, how's your brother? I was drunk last night and just heard from your father that Xiaodong had an accident. How is he?"

Cen Lingqiu got out of bed and walked to the living room. "I'll go to the hospital later and check on him. You had too much to drink last night, so rest at home."

Only after receiving this assurance did Zhang Li end the call. Cen Lingqiu sighed, reluctantly getting dressed to head out.

As she waited for the elevator, she noticed Yu Mingjiao also waiting. Hearing her approach, Yu Mingjiao glanced at her.

"Where are you going?" Cen Lingqiu instinctively pushed her wheelchair into the elevator. "It's the weekend, right? You just had a car accident yesterday. Why aren't you resting at home?"

Yu Mingjiao replied calmly, "I have something to do."

Cen Lingqiu was now always anxious whenever Yu Mingjiao left the house. Every time she was out of sight, something seemed to go wrong. She feared that Yu Mingjiao might meet an untimely end before the task deadline.

"Are you going alone?" Cen Lingqiu frowned slightly. "Is it something important? Is it far away?"

Despite her barrage of questions, Yu Mingjiao answered none, instead countering with, "Are you afraid I'll die like yesterday?"

Cen Lingqiu didn't beat around the bush. "Yes."

Yu Mingjiao blinked, catching a glimpse of Cen Lingqiu's tired face and dark circles in the elevator's reflective walls.

"I'm going to visit my mother's grave," Yu Mingjiao suddenly said.

The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted it. Why did I tell her that?

Cen Lingqiu asked, "Which cemetery?"

Yu Mingjiao hesitated. "…The one in the western suburbs."

"That's pretty far," Cen Lingqiu remarked, checking her phone's map. "Can you go alone?"

"Do you want me to take you there? I can go to the hospital and then come back to pick you up. How about that?"

After a few seconds of silence, Yu Mingjiao shook her head.

"I want to visit my mother alone."

Cen Lingqiu respected her wish but offered a compromise. "I'll come to pick you up afterward."

Yu Mingjiao didn't refuse. "Do as you please."

So obedient.

Cen Lingqiu looked at her.

The elevator arrived on the first floor. Yu Mingjiao suddenly asked, "Are you going to the hospital to see him?"

Cen Lingqiu understood who she meant. "Yes."

Yu Mingjiao's tone was indifferent. "If something happens to him, will you be angry with me?"

"That's a nonsensical question." Cen Lingqiu watched the elevator doors. "This wasn't your fault, so there's no need to ask that."

Yu Mingjiao let out a humorless laugh. "Is that so?"

Her smile was bitter and mocking.

My entire life has been a series of mistakes. I'm just a vessel for everyone's blame. Does this woman even know what she's saying? She must be spouting nonsense.

The elevator reached the first floor.

"I'll head to the cemetery right after the hospital," Cen Lingqiu patted her on the shoulder. "Wait for me."

Yu Mingjiao left the elevator without answering, and Cen Lingqiu watched her go.

Though she didn't say a word, Cen Lingqiu somehow felt as if Yu Mingjiao had just agreed.

Today, Yu Mingjiao seemed less distant than she had been over the past few days. It was as if the thick ice around her heart had begun to melt, revealing a glimpse of something warmer beneath.

Emotions fluctuating—how cute.

Cen Lingqiu arrived at the hospital and, as she approached Lin Dong's room, heard their grandfather scolding him again.

She opened the door.

Lin Dong lay in bed, his head wrapped in bandages. He was more injured than Yu Mingjiao, with a moderate concussion, though he had no other serious injuries and just needed to stay in the hospital for a while.

Their grandfather, leaning on his cane, was clearly furious. Their father stood by, trying to calm him down.

The old man glared at Lin Dong, "This is what comes from spoiling you too much—you've turned into a love-struck fool."

Lin Dong stayed silent, barely remembering anything from the previous night. His tolerance for alcohol was low, and once drunk, he would black out completely.

Their grandfather pointed at Lin Dong. "You're not to see that girl again. If I find out you've gone near her, I'll send you to the new branch in Africa."

Lin Dong clenched his fists, clearly unhappy. "Understood."

Their grandfather then turned to Cen Lingqiu, "Qiuqiu, come with me."

Cen Lingqiu followed her grandfather out of the room.

The old man spoke earnestly, "Qiuqiu, your brother has wronged that girl too many times. Ask her what kind of compensation she needs, and do your best to provide it."

Cen Lingqiu replied, "Grandpa, the only thing that girl wants is for him to stay away from her."

The old man sighed, "What a mess. Why do you young people get so caught up in this nonsense about feelings?"

"Qiuqiu, you've matured a lot recently. Anyway, look after that young girl as best as you can."

"I will."

Their grandfather left, and their father followed, leaving just Lin Dong and Cen Lingqiu in the room.

Cen Lingqiu got straight to the point. "Don't go looking for her anymore. She's not Ning Jia, and nothing good will come from the two of you being together."

Lin Dong stared out the window. "Sis, why have you suddenly started caring about her?"

Seeing that he wouldn't let this go, Cen Lingqiu realized that stalling was pointless. She had no choice but to lie.

"Because I realized it's meaningless." Cen Lingqiu crossed her arms, lying without a flicker of emotion. "When I think about it, I feel sorry for her."

Lin Dong looked shocked. "When did you develop a conscience?"

Cen Lingqiu: "…"

She really didn't want to talk to the male lead.

"Grandpa already warned you. If you're brave enough, go against him." Cen Lingqiu grabbed her bag. "Take care of your brain—I'm leaving."

—

Yu Mingjiao took a taxi to the cemetery.

Today was her mother's birthday. Yu Mingjiao had few memories of her, only a vague impression of a woman who was numb and despondent.

Her mother had been a jewelry designer who could have had a bright future. But after giving birth to Yu Mingjiao, she developed postpartum depression and lingering health issues from the difficult delivery. In the end, she took her own life.

The woman didn't seem to have liked her very much.

But Yu Mingjiao remembered that she had smiled at her once.

Yu Mingjiao didn't know what to say. She always felt that her mother wouldn't want to see her, so she didn't dare say much.

She just remained silent, quietly standing by.

It was only when she was about to leave that she finally spoke to the woman smiling on the gravestone.

"I'm leaving. I'll come again next year."

She bit her lip and whispered softly.

"Goodbye, Mother."

Her voice was so faint it seemed to shrink from being heard.

As she exited the cemetery, she spotted Cen Lingqiu leaning against her car, one hand in her pocket, the other holding her phone.

Sensing her approach, Cen Lingqiu looked up and waved, a small smile playing on her lips.

The dark cloud that had settled over Yu Mingjiao's mood seemed to lift slightly.

She wheeled over, and Cen Lingqiu handed her a handful of candies. "I picked these up at the store on the way."

Yu Mingjiao realized that she really did have a sweet tooth.

Yu Mingjiao didn't particularly like sweets—candies were too sugary for her taste. She preferred something sour.

She took just one piece.

"Just one?"

"Yes."

"If you want more, just ask." Cen Lingqiu helped her into the car. "It's mealtime now. Anything you'd like to eat?"

"I don't know."

"I'll choose then."

"As you wish."

Cen Lingqiu picked a light Cantonese restaurant, mindful of Yu Mingjiao's delicate stomach.

Once the dishes were served, Cen Lingqiu sat at the same table as Yu Mingjiao.

At home, she usually dropped off food and left or stood by the table, serving Yu Mingjiao without eating with her.

Yu Mingjiao assumed this time would be different, but Cen Lingqiu didn't touch her chopsticks. She continued as she always did, serving food to Yu Mingjiao.

Yu Mingjiao, sensitive to the slightest shift in atmosphere, felt an unsettling thought creep into her mind.

Does she find eating with me disgusting?

Yu Mingjiao slowly ate her meal, her expression darkening.

It doesn't matter how she feels—it has nothing to do with me.

Yu Mingjiao suppressed the odd feeling in her heart, burying it under the cold indifference that had become second nature. She dismissed the strange emotion.

Cen Lingqiu, oblivious to Yu Mingjiao's inner turmoil, continued to serve her.

Yu Mingjiao still only ate what was placed directly in front of her.

Both hiding their thoughts, they finished the meal in silence.

After lunch, it was still early. Cen Lingqiu had the day off, so she suggested they go for a walk.

"I don't want to." Yu Mingjiao rejected the idea coldly. "I want to go back."

"Don't stay cooped up at home all the time." Cen Lingqiu really did sound like a concerned elder.

Aside from school, Yu Mingjiao rarely left her apartment.

"There's a beach nearby. Let's take a look." Ignoring her protests, Cen Lingqiu pushed her wheelchair toward the shore.

Yu Mingjiao, perhaps used to Cen Lingqiu's selective hearing by now, remained silent.

As they approached the beach, the crowd thickened, and so did the number of vendors.

Cen Lingqiu was fascinated by the various stalls, pushing Yu Mingjiao from one to another. In just a few minutes, Yu Mingjiao's lap was filled with a jumble of trinkets.

Dolls, accessories, and all sorts of delicately made snacks.

Yu Mingjiao: "…"

She couldn't help but ask, "How much more are you going to buy?"

Cen Lingqiu chuckled softly. "It's fine, just something for you to play with."

Yu Mingjiao let out a cold laugh. "Do I look like a child?"

Cen Lingqiu smiled and patted her head.

As they continued, a girl accidentally bumped into Yu Mingjiao's wheelchair, sending everything in her lap tumbling to the ground.

"I'm so sorry, so sorry!" The girl apologized profusely, quickly bending down to help pick up the fallen items.

Yu Mingjiao leaned forward to help, but Cen Lingqiu held her back. "I've got it."

Together, they quickly gathered everything.

The girl was sweet-looking, with two low buns giving her a youthful, innocent charm. She was overly polite, repeatedly apologizing, "I'm really sorry."

Yu Mingjiao replied calmly, "It's fine."

"What are you doing here?" A cold, beautiful woman approached, her gaze never leaving the apologetic girl, ignoring Cen Lingqiu and Yu Mingjiao entirely.

"I accidentally bumped into someone," the girl explained with a sheepish smile, reaching out to tug the woman's sleeve. "Let's go."

The woman avoided her touch, her expression icy, and walked past them without a glance.

The girl smiled apologetically at them again before hurrying after the woman.

Cen Lingqiu watched the girl's retreating figure.

Yu Mingjiao noticed. "Do you know her?"

Cen Lingqiu shook her head. "No, just thought she was cute."

Cute was one thing, but what caught Cen Lingqiu's attention was the dead look in the girl's eyes—something that clashed with her otherwise sweet appearance.

"There are too many people here; it's easy to get bumped." Cen Lingqiu looked at the crowd. "Let's find a quieter spot to sit. Your head isn't fully healed yet."

She found a shady, less crowded area to sit.

Yu Mingjiao idly played with the trinkets in her lap. The closer they got to the sea, the stronger the wind blew, making her hair a mess.

Cen Lingqiu tucked her hair behind her ear. Yu Mingjiao's body tensed instinctively, her hand reaching up to stop her. "Don't—"

Cen Lingqiu interrupted, "Don't touch me—is that what you were going to say?"

Yu Mingjiao was silent for a few seconds before speaking in a flat tone.

"Don't touch me without asking."

Cen Lingqiu raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So you're saying I can touch you if I ask?"

Yu Mingjiao: "No."

Cen Lingqiu smiled, leaning closer to Yu Mingjiao, her voice suddenly serious. "Are you still sulking?"

"What?"

"You've been avoiding me these past few days, not responding to what I say." Cen Lingqiu finally asked the question that had been bothering her. "Is something bothering you?"

Had she noticed her emotions all along?

Yu Mingjiao's mind was a tangle of contradictions. On one hand, she despised Cen Lingqiu; on the other, she found herself drawn to her warmth.

She didn't understand these conflicting feelings.

"…I'm not upset." Yu Mingjiao's voice was calm.

Cen Lingqiu nodded. "It's good that you're not."

She then remembered something and changed her tone. "From now on, stay away from my brother. Don't go near him."

Yu Mingjiao's eyes instantly turned cold. She thought Cen Lingqiu was about to say she wasn't worthy of being around Lin Dong. So, she's still the same at heart—still mocking me.

Just as these thoughts crossed her mind, Cen Lingqiu continued, "My brother's a lunatic. If he goes off on you again, I won't always be able to get there in time."

Yu Mingjiao's eyelids fluttered slightly.

Cen Lingqiu, not waiting for a response, leaned in closer. "Answer me."

Yu Mingjiao: "…Okay."

"Getting you to say a few more words is tough." Cen Lingqiu teased lightly. "When will you start talking to me on your own?"

Yu Mingjiao: "…"

Once again, her silence was the only answer Cen Lingqiu received, but it made her chuckle.

Despite Yu Mingjiao's peculiar, silent nature, Cen Lingqiu found a certain charm in it after spending so much time with her.

The trees swayed as the sea breeze carried the lingering warmth of late summer, brushing against their faces with a cool, damp touch.

Neither spoke again, both quietly enjoying the breeze.

Yu Mingjiao rarely went out, spending most of her time cooped up in her room, which felt more like a tomb.

Like a mouse that couldn't stand the light of day, she avoided going outside.

She glanced at Cen Lingqiu, who was sitting on the bench.

She was relaxed, her posture casual yet elegant, her expression serene and detached. When the wind blew, she squinted her long, fox-like eyes. The sunlight filtering through the trees cast a soft, dreamlike glow on her fair face, making her features appear ethereal.

Yu Mingjiao looked away after just a glance, her gaze shifting to the distant blue sea.

The sea breeze was warm.

That evening, after washing up, Cen Lingqiu knocked on Yu Mingjiao's door with an envelope in hand.

Yu Mingjiao had just finished changing the bandage on her head. Hearing the knock, she knew it was Cen Lingqiu but couldn't figure out why she was visiting so late.

"Still awake?" Cen Lingqiu entered the living room. "I've got something for you."

"What is it?"

Cen Lingqiu handed her the envelope.

Yu Mingjiao didn't take it.

"Open it and see," Cen Lingqiu urged, shaking the envelope. "I promise it's nothing bad."

Yu Mingjiao eventually accepted it.

She opened the envelope to find a finely crafted invitation inside.

One glance was enough for her to recognize it as an invitation to the X.R. Jewelry Design Competition.

She had wanted to enter this competition before but had given up because the entry requirements were too exclusive, favoring those with connections.

Yu Mingjiao looked up. "What's this supposed to mean?"

Cen Lingqiu leaned against the wall. "It means what you think it does. The preliminary round is next week—take care of yourself and get ready for it."

"Why would you give this to me?" Yu Mingjiao couldn't understand Cen Lingqiu's intentions, her tone weary. "It's a waste of effort."

Cen Lingqiu dismissed her concern. "It's no trouble at all. You're going to win, aren't you?"

"I'm going to lose."

Cen Lingqiu smiled. "You're going to win."

She moved closer, leaning in until their faces were inches apart. "Because you're going to win, it has meaning. It's not a waste."

Yu Mingjiao's eyes widened slightly, and then she sneered.

"You have a lot of faith in me."

She didn't argue. "Because you're Yu Mingjiao—winning is what you do."

Yu Mingjiao tightened her grip on the invitation.

"The exam is next Sunday, but I have to go to A City for work that day." Cen Lingqiu frowned slightly. "I don't know if I'll make it back in time to see you compete."

"You're so sure I'll go?"

"Yes." Cen Lingqiu's expression was calm. "You'll go. You have the talent."

"Alright then," she straightened up. "It's late—time to sleep."

"See you tomorrow."

After Cen Lingqiu left, Yu Mingjiao remained seated, still holding the invitation.

She had guessed correctly—she would indeed go.

She wanted to follow in her mother's footsteps.

She wanted to be recognized.

And the first person to acknowledge her was that woman.

**

To prepare for the upcoming competition, Yu Mingjiao devoted all her time to studying, filling page after page with practice designs, staying up late every night poring over gemstone techniques.

She was so focused on the competition that she completely forgot about her course assignment.

She and An Wu were in the same group, but An Wu was just as scatterbrained. Distracted by her social life, she also forgot about the project.

The deadline was the next morning, so Yu Mingjiao and An Wu pulled an all-nighter in the library to finish it.

When they finally completed it, it was already past midnight. The school library stayed open late, but there were few people around at that hour.

"I'm so tired, I'm going to die," An Wu groaned, collapsing onto the table.

Yu Mingjiao was also exhausted but wasn't one to show it.

The two packed up and left the campus.

An Wu's boyfriend was waiting for her outside.

"Mingjiao, let me give you a ride home—it's so late," An Wu said, worried about Yu Mingjiao's safety.

Yu Mingjiao declined. "No need—someone's coming to pick me up."

"Who, your sister?"

No matter how many times Yu Mingjiao corrected An Wu that Cen Lingqiu wasn't her sister, An Wu always reverted to calling her that. Yu Mingjiao had given up correcting her.

"Yes." Yu Mingjiao nodded.

An Wu breathed a sigh of relief. "As long as she's picking you up, then that's fine. I'm so tired—I'm heading home."

Yu Mingjiao gave her a slight nod.

An Wu left.

At this late hour, the streets were almost deserted, and finding a taxi was nearly impossible.

After waiting for about ten minutes, Yu Mingjiao decided to walk home.

She hadn't lied to An Wu—Cen Lingqiu had promised to pick her up tonight. But she had forgotten about the project, and since Cen Lingqiu had no way to contact her, she must have given up waiting.

The streets were long and empty, the only light coming from the occasional streetlamp.

Yu Mingjiao was afraid of the dark. Although the streetlights were on, the night was thick and still, amplifying her fear.

It was natural to be scared when walking alone down a long, dark street.

Yu Mingjiao quickened her pace, but a stray dog suddenly darted out of the shadows.

She jumped in fright.

In truth, Yu Mingjiao was afraid of many things.

The dark, loneliness, dogs.

The scar on her waist was from a dog bite.

The stray dog was likely out scavenging for food, rummaging through a trash can.

Yu Mingjiao kept her distance, trying to hurry home, but the stray barked at the sound of her wheelchair wheels scraping against the pavement.

Yu Mingjiao froze in place.

From behind her, she heard the sound of footsteps.

Click.

Click.

Click.

Yu Mingjiao's nerves were on edge, the darkness and the barking dog slowly eroding her already fragile mental state.

And now, footsteps.

In the dead of night, footsteps were no less frightening than the dark.

The steps grew closer until someone stood behind her.

A familiar, cool voice spoke.

"Didn't I say I'd pick you up?"

Yu Mingjiao turned her head to look behind her.

Cen Lingqiu stood there, smiling slightly.

"Should I say good evening?"